Golf: Lincicome opens three-shot LPGA lead

PITTSFORD, United States - Brittany Lincicome fired a four-under-par 68 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the LPGA Championship, the fourth major of the LPGA season.

The American, whose resume includes a major title at the 2009 Kraft Nabisco Championship, had a 36-hole total of nine-under-par 135.

She was in good shape to make a weekend run at a fifth tour title, and her first since the 2011 Canadian Women's Open.

American Lexi Thompson, the reigning Kraft Nabisco champion who shared the first-round lead with South Korea's Meena Lee, carded an even-par 72 and shared second place on 138 with defending champion and former world number one Park In-Bee.

South Korea's Park climbed up the leaderboard with a six-under 66.

New Zealand teen Lydia Ko, who could seize the world number one ranking from Stacy Lewis with a first major win this week, carded a 69 to head a group tied on 139.

She was joined by overnight co-leader Lee, who signed for a 73, and American Jane Park, who posted a 69 at Monroe Golf Club.

Half a dozen players were tied on 140. They included 2007 champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway, who shot 69, and 2012 winner Feng Shanshan of China, who signed for a 72.

They were joined by South Korea's Lee Mi-Rim (71), Paraguay's Julieta Granada (65), Spain's Beatriz Recari (70) and American Jennifer Johnson (70).